There really is no such thing as a gateway drug. People who abuse drugs and then move on to stronger stuff are self-medicating. It's the addictive behavior of the abuser that's the problem, not the drug. But, it's so much easier to use a propaganist term like "gateway drug" to scare the public.

Someone told them that their children were at risk(..."WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN?????" a woman cried from the back of the crowd)
They use the same fear mongering about gay marriage. When they have no valid argument then it's all about the children.